In 2010, the U.S. faced a significant challenge to its Pacific dominance, with China rapidly emerging as a military superpower. By this time, China’s naval capabilities were expanding, and its ambitions to assert control in the Yellow Sea, South China Sea, and the broader Pacific were becoming apparent. This shift in power dynamics prompted concern among regional nations and led to a major military exercise aimed at demonstrating allied strength.
The Rim of the Pacific Exercise, or RIMPAC, was established as a response. This biennial event, which began in 1971 and became a regular occurrence in 1988, is the world’s largest maritime warfare exercise. The 2010 iteration, which kicked off on June 23, was particularly notable. For the first time in decades, the exercise was not just a routine drill but a strategic demonstration of collective military might.
RIMPAC 2010 involved the U.S., Australia, and 12 other Pacific nations, totaling 14 participants. China, conspicuously absent from the invite list, was clearly the hypothetical adversary in these exercises. The event aimed to enhance interoperability and cooperation among allied navies through various drills, including weapons tests, tactical formations, and amphibious operations.
The scale and scope of RIMPAC 2010 underscored the growing concerns about China’s expanding military presence. With Combined Task Force Commander Admiral Richard W. Hunt and U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Patrick M. Walsh leading the operation, the exercise was designed to showcase the formidable strength of allied forces and reaffirm America’s commitment to securing critical maritime routes, especially as China’s influence in the South China Sea threatened key trade lanes valued at $5.3 trillion annually.
Keeping the South China Sea open for commercial traffic is critical, as China attempts to assert nearly full control over the waterway through its “Nine-Dash Line.” This line, which appears on many Chinese maps, stretches from China’s southern coast and runs along the coastlines of nearly every nation bordering the South China Sea. It passes Vietnam, curves around Malaysia, and extends past the Philippines, reaching the southern coast of Taiwan. Most notably, the line includes the Spratly and Paracel Islands, territories disputed by several neighboring countries.
To bolster its claim over the South China Sea, China has constructed man-made islands near the Spratlys, establishing military bases that not only serve as strategic threats but also extend China’s Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). Typically, an EEZ gives a nation control over an area extending 200 nautical miles from its coast. By claiming the Spratlys and Paracels, China seeks to expand its EEZs, asserting control over a vast portion of the South China Sea. The man-made islands support this effort, with China arguing that these zones grant it near-total oversight of the region. It’s these aggressive claims that make exercises like RIMPAC necessary. RIMPAC 2010, which involved the U.S. and Australia — two major Pacific powers — also included 12 other participating nations. These were Japan, Indonesia, Colombia, Chile, Canada, France, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Peru, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. Additionally, representatives from countries such as New Zealand, India, Brazil, and Uruguay attended as observers, despite not directly participating.
The scale of RIMPAC 2010 was impressive. The war games involved 34 ships, five submarines, 179 aircraft, and around 20,000 military personnel from the 14 participating nations. It was a large-scale operation, demonstrating to China — and any other watching powers — the collective strength of these allied forces. The exercises included a range of activities, such as anti-submarine warfare, anti-air defense, gunnery practice, missile launches, and vessel boarding. The message was clear: the participating nations were capable of mounting a formidable defense of critical sea lanes in the Pacific region.
Mine clearance was a crucial aspect of RIMPAC 2010, given China’s substantial mine warfare fleet of 36 dedicated ships. The operation also featured an amphibious landing exercise. The war games officially began on June 23, 2010, with the arrival of the USS Ronald Reagan, an aircraft carrier, at Pearl Harbor. Docked alongside other participating ships, the Reagan was the only carrier in the exercise. This marked the start of Phase I, which involved a series of receptions, meetings, and athletic events for officers and crew from all 14 nations. This phase was essential for fostering communication and planning among the diverse navies, with the Reagan completing its Tailored Ships Availability (TSTA) for this purpose.
Phase II commenced on July 6, 2010, when 32 ships and five submarines departed Pearl Harbor. At sea, they engaged in live-fire gunnery and missile exercises, including a notable supersonic missile launch by an Australian ship, captured by 60 Minutes Australia. These live-fire drills, such as the Australian missile launch costing $1 million, were critical for ensuring crews could effectively use their weapons in real combat situations. Vessel boarding exercises also took place, teaching crews how to handle scenarios like boarding enemy ships or extracting key personnel, which, while less relevant to China, are crucial for dealing with potential piracy or similar threats.
The underwater operations continued with minesweeping and salvage activities. Phase III of RIMPAC 2010 involved scenario-based drills, including amphibious landings, designed to test the skills and coordination developed during the exercise. This final phase lasted until July 30, 2010, culminating in a reception on the USS Ronald Reagan for over 1,500 guests at Merry Point Landing, Pearl Harbor. The exercise was a resounding success, featuring around 140 live-fire events and the discharge of 1,000 rounds from 20 surface combat vessels, demonstrating the combined naval prowess of the participating nations.
During RIMPAC 2010, three sinking exercises, 30 surface-to-air engagements, and 40 air-to-air missile engagements were conducted. The U.S. Air Force played a significant role with over 3,100 aerial sorties, contributing to vessel boarding operations. Five amphibious landings involved ground forces from Australia, the U.S., and three other countries, with 560 troops performing ship-to-shore and back operations. Of the 960 training events scheduled, an impressive 96% were successfully completed, underscoring the effectiveness of the exercise and sending a clear message to China about the formidable naval power of the participating nations.
The USS Ronald Reagan, the centerpiece of RIMPAC 2010, hosted 40 naval personnel from various countries to manage the combat exercises. The carrier performed a live Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launch, the first since 2007. The RAM Block 1 and Block 2 missiles, though compact, are powerful, with supersonic speeds and explosive warheads designed to intercept anti-ship missiles. The USS Ronald Reagan, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is 1,092 feet long, displacing 98,235 tons. It can house 200 officers and 6,075 personnel, and carry up to 85 aircraft, equipped with a range of advanced weapons systems, including RAMs, CIWS, and Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles.
The USS Ronald Reagan, equipped with an SLQ-25A Nixie Torpedo Countermeasure system, is a massive ship far surpassing any Chinese aircraft carrier. For context, China’s active carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong, can accommodate up to 36 and 44 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, respectively.
However, the USS Ronald Reagan wasn’t the only American ship in RIMPAC 2010. Among the participants was the USS Freedom, a Freedom-class littoral combat ship. At 378 feet long, the USS Freedom is significantly smaller than the Reagan but still impressive. It can carry two Sikorsky MH-60R/S “Seahawk” helicopters and one Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout UAV, thanks to foldable helicopter tails that fit in its hangars.
The USS Freedom displaces 2,862 tons and uses water jets for propulsion, allowing it to operate in shallow waters without getting stuck in sand or sediment. It can reach speeds of 18 knots and has a range of 3,500 nautical miles. Crewed by 40 personnel and with a total capacity of 110, it is well-equipped for a range of missions.
Armament includes a forward-mounted BAE Systems Mk 110 57mm deck gun, capable of firing 220 rounds per minute up to nine miles. The ship also features four Browning .50 caliber machine guns, two Mk 44 Bushmaster II 30mm guns, 21 RIM-116 RAM missiles for short-range defense, and space for up to 45 “Non-Line of Sight” (NLOS) missiles, though these were removed for the joint operations.
The USS Bonhomme Richard, another key participant, was decommissioned in 2023 and its parts repurposed.
The USS Bonhomme Richard was a formidable multipurpose amphibious assault ship that served the U.S. Navy from its commissioning in May 1998 until its decommissioning in 2023. At 847 feet long, with 778 feet above the waterline, it had a full displacement of 41,684 tons. Although it was somewhat less robust than the USS Ronald Reagan due to its aluminum superstructure, the Bonhomme Richard was still a massive and powerful vessel. It could accommodate 102 officers and 1,102 enlisted naval personnel, and it had a top speed of 23 knots, enabling rapid amphibious assaults.
Armed with two RAM launchers, it could effectively defend against incoming cruise missiles, much like the USS Ronald Reagan. The ship was also equipped with two Mk-15 20mm Phalanx CIWS systems, capable of firing between 3,000 and 4,500 rounds per minute to neutralize close-range threats. Additionally, it had NATO Sea Sparrow launchers, which fired surface-to-air missiles at speeds exceeding Mach 4, making it highly effective against aerial threats.
The decommissioning of the USS Bonhomme Richard is a testament to the strength and adaptability of the U.S. Navy. Its removal from service signifies the Navy’s ongoing commitment to advancing its fleet, ensuring that even as ships like the Bonhomme Richard are retired, they are replaced with vessels of even greater capability.
In RIMPAC 2010, the USS Bonhomme Richard demonstrated its significant power, but it’s essential to note that it was just one of many impressive ships participating. For instance, the RSS Supreme from Singapore was a Formidable-class frigate known for its speed and endurance. Displacing 3,200 tons and measuring over 376 feet in length, it could reach speeds of 27 knots and travel 4,200 nautical miles. Armed with eight Harpoon ship-to-ship missiles, anti-air defenses including a 32-cell launcher for Aster missiles, and EuroTorp A244/S torpedoes, the RSS Supreme was a versatile and formidable vessel.
Another notable participant was the HMAS Newcastle from Australia, a guided missile frigate based on the U.S. Navy’s Oliver Hazard Perry design. Although it has been decommissioned, it was an agile and powerful ship with a top speed of 29 knots, capable of carrying various missiles and torpedoes.
RIMPAC 2010 showcased the impressive capabilities of the participating nations’ naval forces. This demonstration of combined maritime power was particularly alarming for China, highlighting not just the advanced technology and firepower of the U.S. and its allies, but also their ability to coordinate effectively. The large-scale exercise, coupled with the high success rate of the training events, underscored the significant naval superiority of the participating countries.
As we look to RIMPAC 2024, China’s exclusion from the exercise further emphasizes the growing concerns among Pacific nations about China’s ambitions. The absence of China from such a significant naval exercise indicates a broader geopolitical shift and underscores the ongoing strategic rivalry in the Pacific. This exclusion likely exacerbates China’s apprehensions about its standing relative to the increasingly united and capable naval forces of the U.S. and its allies.
